Calvinism Is Not Hyper-Calvinism

Last week, I was interviewed by Chris Arnzen on his radio show, Iron Sharpens Iron, on the subject of hyper-Calvinism. It caused me to think about this subject and the importance of using vocabulary properly. As the father of a type 1 diabetic, I spend much of my time explaining to people in random conversations that type 1 diabetes (T1D) is not the same thing as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, let me begin by clearly stating this point—Calvinism is not hyper-Calvinism. When I engage in conversation with people who want to discuss Calvinism, I’m happy to do so, but I want to be sure that we’re using the same dictionary.

What is Calvinism?

Calvinism is a system of theology that seeks to systemize the teachings of Scripture on the subject of salvation. What is the relationship between the absolute sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man? This is the central issue of Calvinism. It takes the name of the Reformer John Calvin, who was a passionate preacher of Scripture in the Sixteenth Century in Geneva, Switzerland. During the Protestant Reformation, the Reformers were seeking to unleash the true gospel from the intense strangle hold of the Roman Catholic Church. It was through this period of time that the Bible was being printed in the common language of the people and was simultaneously being proclaimed expositionally.

A group of followers of Jacobus Arminius who studied under Theodore Beza (a disciple of John Calvin) drafted a document known as the Remonstrance. It was a detailed refutation of the sovereignty of God in salvation. It elevated the free will of man above the sovereign initiative and power of God. These people were known as Arminians. Their doctrine would eventually become known as Arminianism.

An official meeting, known as the Synod of Dordt, was held in 1619 in order to respond to the submission of the Arminians in their Remonstrance. The overall conclusion was that the Remonstrance was incorrect and that the biblical view of salvation teaches that God is the author and finisher of saving grace. The “five points” of Calvinism came as an answer to the unscriptural five points authored by the Arminians in 1610 me eventually were organized with an acronym T.U.L.I.P. To explain the key teachings.

Historical Timeline Surrounding the Doctrines Known as “Calvinism”

440 Bishop Leo of Rome becomes “Bishop of Bishops.” Asserts Primacy of Rome over the Church; Dark Ages Begin.1382 John Wycliffe translates Bible.1384 John Wycliffe martyred by Rome.1439 (Approximate) Printing press invented.1517Luther Nails 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church Door; The Reformation begins (Post Tenebras Lux).1522 Luther’s New Testament.1526 Tyndale’s New Testament.1536 William Tyndale Martyred by Rome; Institutes of the Christian Religion (John Calvin).1553 Bloody Mary becomes queen of England and restores power to the RCC. During
Mary’s reign, more than 300 Protestants are burned. John Rogers (publisher of the Matthew’s Bible) is the first to be burned at the stake. Many Protestants flee from England to Geneva.1559Calvin opens his college in Geneva. Within five years the college would have over 1500 students.1560 The Geneva Bible is printed. It was the first Bible with verse references and sold over one million copies between 1560 and 1640. John Foxe publishes Foxe’s book of Martyrs.1561 Belgic Confession (Guido de Bres).1563 Heidelberg Catechism (Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus).1564John Calvin Dies.1571 The Synod of Emden (birth of the Dutch Reformed Church).1609 Jacobus Arminius dies.1610 Remonstrance (Arminians or Remonstrants led by Johannes Uytenbogaert).1611 Counter-Remonstrance (led by Pieter Platevoet).1618 Opening of the Synod of Dort & Opinions of the Remonstrants.1619 Synod Dismisses the Arminians & Adopts the Canons (AKA – 5-Points of Calvinism).

The system known as Calvinism is really five counter points to Arminianism. Years later, Wesley adopted the Arminian position and thus the Methodist movement was born. Although there are certain exceptions, historically, Baptists and Presbyterians have been more Calvinistic and opposed to the doctrines of Arminianism while the Methodists and groups such as the Assemblies of God have embraced the doctrines known as Arminianism. Today, Calvinism is sometimes known by titles such as Reformed theology and the doctrines of grace.

What is Hyper-Calvinism?

Hyper-Calvinism is not a term used for those who are overly passionate about Calvinism. That’s actually what we refer to as “cage stage Calvinism.” When understood properly, hyper-Calvinism is a technical term for an extreme and unbiblical view that rejects any need for Christians to engage in missions and evangelism. Simply put, hyper-Calvinists forbid the preaching of the gospel and the offer of salvation to the non-elect. Such people believe that God has chosen people in Christ in eternity past and will bring about His results without the help of His people. Hyper-Calvinism is heresy and must be rejected.

To illustrate the views of hyper-Calvinism, consider what happened during a pastors’ meeting years ago. A man named William Carey wanted to organize an effort to get the gospel to what he called heathen nations. Carey stood up and addressed the crowd by requesting that they discuss “the duty of Christians to attempt to spread the gospel among the heathen nations.” Mr. Ryland, and older minister, exclaimed loudly, “Sit down, young man! When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine.” Carey did not stop. His allegiance was to Christ – not Mr. Ryland. Carey went to India and proclaimed the good news of Christ.

Carey would write a book titled – An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians, to Use Means for the Conversion of Heathens. He would argue his case that we should use means to reach heathens – contrary to what Mr. Ryland – the elder minister said in his meeting as he scolded the young Carey for bringing up the subject.

William Carey, in his Enquiry, wrote: “It seems as if many thought the commission was sufficiently put in execution by what the apostles and others have done; that we have enough to do to attend to the salvation of our own countrymen; and that, if God intends the salvation of the heathen, he will some way or other bring them to the gospel, or the gospel to them. It is thus that multitudes sit at ease, and give themselves no concern about the far greater part of their fellow sinners, who to this day, are lost in ignorance and idolatry.”

It must be pointed out that William Carey was a Calvinist. Although William Carey had only a grammar school education – he would shake the world with the gospel. Carey once preached a sermon where he stated – “Expect Great Things – Attempt Great Things.” It was later added – “Expect Great Things From God – Attempt Great Things For God.” That’s exactly what he did as he proclaimed the true gospel of King Jesus. India would never be the same. The world would never be the same. The way the church viewed missions would never be the same – because of this Christ-exalting Calvinist that has become known to us as the “father of modern missions.”

What’s the Difference?

The difference between Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism is the distance between heaven and hell. Calvinism is full of life and passion for God and desires to make God’s glory shine among the nations. Hyper-Calvinism is lifeless heresy that damns people to hell, kills evangelism, and ruins churches. Take a good look at the missionary movement of church history and you will see Calvinists leading the charge. Men like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and Charles Spurgeon were all Calvinists. Many people overlook the missionary heart of John Calvin himself. He trained and sent out many missionaries who passionately preached the truth. Many of these men were martyred for their faith.

The next time you’re talking to someone with type 1 diabetes, just remember—it’s not the same thing as type 2 diabetes. Also, the next time you’re talking to a Calvinist, remember, Calvinism is not hyper-Calvinism. To call faithful Calvinistic Christians hyper-Calvinists is to consign a massive number of people from church history to the flames of hell (including people like Charles Spurgeon, William Carey, Martin Luther, Andrew Fuller, Adoniram Judson, and George Whitefield). What’s the difference between Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism? Calvinism proclaims the true gospel while hyper-Calvinism proclaims no gospel at all.

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12 Comments

Greg Dispain
on November 22, 2016 at 7:27 am

I am not a Calvinist, but I do follow many notable pastors and authors who are and have been blessed by heir ministries. I do have a genuine question.If God has irrevocably decided in eternity past the eternal destiny of every person who would ever be born, whether for salvation or damnation, how does the heresy of hyper-Calvinism “damn people to hell” as you say? Hasn’t God already made that determination?

Josh Buice
on November 22, 2016 at 9:31 am

Greg, I get your point – I think. I’m not sure if you’re asking me to respond on a surface level or if you want to know where I stand on the subject of infralapsarianism and supralapsarianism? The fact is, God judges sinners based on their sin and judges them with perfect justice. Heresy is a sin, and therefore, hyper-Calvinists will be judged for their works with precise justice. Either God placed all of our sin on His Son at Calvary and deals with it there or He will judge us for all eternity as sinners are plunged beneath the eternal wrath of God. Our sin is being dealt with one way or the other.

Robert Steiger
on November 22, 2016 at 10:53 am

Josh I don’t think you really answered Greg’s question. The specific answer is “Yes”. As you point out Hyper-Calvinism is un-Biblical in that there is no need for evangelism or missions. What do you think of an alter-call at the close of a worship service?

Josh Buice
on November 22, 2016 at 12:45 pm

Robert Steiger – I was pointing out that I agree that God does sovereignly choose people before time (as Ephesians 1 teaches). However, they are morally and lawfully responsible creatures and deserve the justice of God. Regarding your question about alter calls, I find it most helpful to use that type as a “call to respond and reflect” on God’s Word that was just preached. The idea of walking down the aisle and praying counseling with the pastor at that moment is probably not the best idea. For one, we would not present anyone before the church immediately if they walked down and sought counsel. We would want to spend enough time with them to be sure they have a good understanding of the gospel and then we would also ask them to attend a 4-week membership class where we teach these doctrines from Scripture (the gospel, baptism, Lord’s Supper, and the doctrine of the church) prior to any baptism and church membership.

Greg Dispain
on November 22, 2016 at 2:07 pm

I may have misunderstood your point. Are those “damned to hell” those who hold to HC or those who remain unevangelized as a result of the HCs viewing it as unnecessary?

As to the lapsarianism positions, I struggle with both. I can’t reconcile the image of God as transcending space and time with the image of God acting in such a linear, temporal, reactionary manner manner as depicted in either position. Seems like strained logic to justify a belief.

Thanks for the reply, and God Bless.

LP Dion
on November 22, 2016 at 8:50 am

Or, how about the second mention of hell? Where to misrecognize the character qualities of a list of honourable men is to “consign a massive number of people from church history to the flames of hell.”

Of course, that’s a rhetorical device, because we don’t possess the power to ‘consign a massive number’ to hell. That’s the job of the Triune God. In the pre-existence before time or matter, as God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoyed perfect community, harmony and love, one of them floated the idea of eternal conscious torment and then it was so. Which One?

A lot of folk (unlike me) invoke some sort of ‘Godwin’s Law’ when hell is mentioned and effectively shut down from that point.

Josh Buice
on November 22, 2016 at 9:33 am

LP, I don’t believe that anyone has the power to truly “consign” people to the flames of hell. I was referring to the ability to “consign” people in our minds or beliefs to the flames of hell (truly believing that Calvinists are heretics and therefore believing that people like Charles Spurgeon are in hell today).

Ian
on November 22, 2016 at 11:25 am

Hi Josh,
You mentioned above that Martin Luther was a Calvinist. I have heard Lutherans deny that they are Calvinists, but stand on Lutherism, which is somehow different? Is there a difference, and if so , what?

Josh Buice
on November 22, 2016 at 12:52 pm

Ian, I believe that Luther was a Calvinist in his theological positions, but his positions are a bit concerning at specific junctures. At times, it seems as if his understanding of specific doctrines had not developed as quickly as one might have thought.

Regarding the specific differences of today’s Lutheranism – it’s important to note that not all Lutherans are the same. Some have a robust belief in the inerrancy of Scripture and some open the door to errors. One main issue is the necessity of baptism for grace to be active through faith. For more on the big picture differences, you can read this article here: https://gotquestions.org/Lutherans.html

I found both the article very helpful (if sadly brief: I love this subject!) and the ensuing discussion fascinating. As a former Arminian (saved sovereignly, but brought up in the Assemblies of God) who became a Calvinist by listening to solid preaching and verifying everything with vigorous bible study (and who now stands unashamedly in the soteriologically Reformed camp), what most impressed me was the humility and grace that infused the rigorous discussion following the article. Bravo to those who can explore and discuss (and perhaps even differ) deep theological subjects, while remaining civil and respectful. This is exactly the kind of discourse that bears great fruit!

Someone once told me that the best preachers and teachers are Calvinists who don’t often sound like Calvinists. What they meant is that the best teachers/preachers tend to be Reformed teachers who don’t focus on the “Doctrines of Grace” (like a Reformed view of predestination) to the degree that they overshadow everything else. Listen to John MacArthur or John Piper or Alistair Begg, and count how often they get into the tall weeds on predestination. Count how many of Spurgeon’s sermons actually delve into a topic like Limited Atonement. Even Dr. Sproul, who wrote a book defending election, spends plenty of time talking about other topics. They all certainly agree with the Reformed positions on soteriology, but they don’t make it a huge emphasis of their teaching/preaching. And when they’re presenting an evangelistic message, you won’t hear anything about election or predestination.

This isn’t to disparage the Reformed paradigm. I certainly lean more towards it than towards the opposite views. But as I’ve grown as a follower of Jesus and get exposed to more and more biblical “teaching” which is about an inch deep, the rule of thumb I was given still applies: The best teachers and preachers tend to be Calvinists who don’t sound like a Calvinist all the time.

I find the following statement interesting. You wrote, “Such people (hyper-calvinists) believe that God has chosen people in Christ in eternity past and will bring about His results without the help of His people. Hyper-Calvinism is heresy and must be rejected.

Calvinists believe that “God has chosen people in eternity past”… and they believe “He will bring about His results” so are you saying “without the help of His people” is what makes hyper-calvinism heresy?

Here is a thought on that. Regeneration is CLEARLY a work of God with no merit on the part of the individual who hs been effectually chosen. His or her sin has been paid for at Calvary in full… so there is no question as to the eternal destiny of the elect… I do not see the human role at all either in the person being chosen nor in those around him. So looks to me your definition of hyper-calvinism fits the calvinist perfectly.

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